Flameless heating apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A flameless heating apparatus is provided for heating and vaporizing a composition. The flameless heating apparatus may include a heating member, heating barrel, heat generation component, control component, and base member. A method for heating and vaporizing a composition using the flameless heating apparatus is also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/794,573 filed Jan. 19, 2019. The foregoing application is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a flameless heating apparatus. More particularly, the disclosure relates to heating and vaporizing a composition without combustion.

BACKGROUND

Heating devices have largely been used throughout history to warm an object. Many times, such heating devices will burn a combustible fuel to generate heat, such as butane. Various heating devices are made for different industries and applications.

For applications involving applying heat to a crucible to extract chemical compounds from an organic substance, historically only fossil fuel consuming devices have been able to be made and sold to approach the desired temperature and heating characteristics for effective operation. Typically, a combustible material such as butane will be burned to produce the heat for application to the crucible. However, operation of flammable materials inherently demands great caution due to the risk of fires or explosions due to mishandling. Additionally, the temperature produced from combusted fuels can be difficult to control. This can be especially problematic for applications that desire a precise temperature range to extract selective chemical compounds from a concentrate or organic material. Furthermore, combustible heat sources require a consumable fuel source that can run out, must be replenished, and can create an ongoing expense for the operation of a combustion-based heat source.

Therefore, a need exists to solve the deficiencies present in the prior art. What is needed is a flameless heat source to heat a composition. What is needed is a flameless heat source with temperature adjustability. What is needed is an adjustable-height heat source usable with variously sized crucibles and other devices. What is needed is an induction-based heat source to negate the need of fossil fuels for operation. What is needed is a vaporizer apparatus operable using electrical heat sources. What is needed is an electric heat source for warming quartz and/or borosilicate glass containers. What is needed is a method for heating a quartz and/or borosilicate glass crucible using an electric heating apparatus.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the disclosure advantageously provides a flameless heat source to heat a composition. An aspect of the disclosure advantageously provides a flameless heat source with temperature adjustability. An aspect of the disclosure advantageously provides an adjustable-height heat source usable with variously sized crucibles and other devices. An aspect of the disclosure advantageously provides an induction-based heat source to negate the need of fossil fuels for operation. An aspect of the disclosure advantageously provides a vaporizer apparatus operable using electrical heat sources. An aspect of the disclosure advantageously provides an electric heat source for warming quartz and/or borosilicate glass containers. An aspect of the disclosure advantageously provides a method for heating a quartz and/or borosilicate glass crucible using an electric heating apparatus.

According to an embodiment of this disclosure, a flameless heating apparatus is provided for elevating a temperature of a target. The heating apparatus may include a heating member, heating barrel, control component, and/or other components. The heating member may include a heat generation component. The heat generation component may include an electrical heating element installed to the heat generation component that operates via induction. The heating barrel may be operatively attached to the heating member and extend outwardly from the heating member. The control component may affect operating characteristics of the heat generation component. Air heated by the heat generation component may be directed through the heating barrel to the target to increase the temperature of the target.

In another aspect, an exterior heating member surface of the heating member may be constructed at least partially using an organic material, which may be made of and/or include wood.

In another aspect, the heated air may be moved by a fan.

In another aspect, the target may include a crucible.

In another aspect, the crucible may be made of and/or include quartz and/or borosilicate glass.

In another aspect, a sensor may be included to detect information relating to the air that is heated by the heat generation component. The control component may affect the operating characteristics in response to the information provided by the sensor.

In another aspect, the control component may include a timer.

In another aspect, a base member may be included onto which the heating member is installed. A junction may be located on the base member about which the heating member being installed to the base member is at least partially pivotable.

In another aspect, the electric heating element may be selectably operated to consume between about 600 watts and about 950 watts of electrical power to heat the air.

In another aspect, the heating barrel may include an outer barrel and an inner barrel. The inner barrel may be at least partially enclosed by the outer barrel to at least partially provide a heat shield for the outer barrel by isolating the heated air from the outer barrel during operation.

In another aspect, a physical integrity of the inner barrel may be substantially maintained during operation via an orientation of the inner barrel substantially within the outer barrel.

In another aspect, a first inner barrel end of the inner barrel that is distal to the heat generation component may include flow shaping features to direct the air that is heated from an interior portion of the heating member through the heating barrel with minimal resistance.

According to an embodiment of this disclosure, a flameless heating apparatus is provided for elevating a temperature of a target. The heating apparatus may include a heating member, a heating barrel, a base member, and a junction. The heating member may include a heat generation component. The heat generation component may include an electrical heating element installed to the heat generation component. The heating barrel may be operatively attached to the heating member and extend outwardly from the heating member. The heating member may be installed onto a base member. A junction may be located on the base member about which the heating member being installed to the base member is at least partially pivotable. The heating barrel may include an outer barrel and an inner barrel. The inner barrel may be at least partially enclosed by the outer barrel to at least partially provide a heat shield for the outer barrel by isolating heated air from the outer barrel during operation. The air heated by the heat generation component may be directed through the inner barrel of the heating barrel to the target to increase the temperature of the target.

In another aspect, a control component may be included to affect operating characteristics of the heat generation component.

In another aspect, a sensor may be included to detect information relating to the air that is heated by the heat generation component. The control component may affect the operating characteristics in response to the information provided by the sensor. The control component may include a timer.

In another aspect, a first inner barrel end of the inner barrel that is distal to the heat generation component may include flow shaping features to direct the air that is heated from an interior portion of the heating member through the heating barrel with minimal resistance.

According to an embodiment of this disclosure, a method of heating a target using a flameless heating apparatus may be provided. The method may include (a) generating heat via induction by a heat generation component comprised by a heating member. The method may include (b) heating air in the heating member with the heat generated by the electrical heating element. The method may include (c) flowing the air that is heated through a heating barrel operatively attached to the heating member and extending outwardly from the heating member, such as via a fan. The method may include (d) heating the target with the air that is heated that is directed through the heating barrel. The method may include (e) controlling operating characteristics of the heat generation component via a control component.

In another aspect, the method may include (f) detecting information relating to the air that is heated by the heat generation component via a sensor. The method may include (g) affecting the operating characteristics in response to the information provided by the sensor via the control component.

In another aspect, a base member may be included onto which the heating member is installed. A junction may be located on the base member about which the heating member being installed to the base member is at least partially pivotable.

In another aspect, the heating barrel may include an outer barrel and an inner barrel. The inner barrel may be at least partially enclosed by the outer barrel to at least partially provide a heat shield for the outer barrel by isolating the heated air from the outer barrel during operation. A first inner barrel end of the inner barrel that is distal to the heat generation component may include flow shaping features to direct the heated air from an interior portion of the heating member through the heating barrel with minimal resistance.

Terms and expressions used throughout this disclosure are to be interpreted broadly. Terms are intended to be understood respective to the definitions provided by this specification. Technical dictionaries and common meanings understood within the applicable art are intended to supplement these definitions. In instances where no suitable definition can be determined from the specification or technical dictionaries, such terms should be understood according to their plain and common meaning. However, any definitions provided by the specification will govern above all other sources.

Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages described by this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flameless heating apparatus, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a flameless heating apparatus, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a flameless heating apparatus, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of a flameless heating apparatus, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a flameless heating apparatus, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a heating member, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a sectional perspective view of a heating member, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a base member, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a base member, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a flameless heating apparatus in a height adjusted orientation, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram view of an illustrative computerized device, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure is provided to describe various embodiments of a flameless heating apparatus. Skilled artisans will appreciate additional embodiments and uses of the present invention that extend beyond the examples of this disclosure. Terms included by any claim are to be interpreted as defined within this disclosure. Singular forms should be read to contemplate and disclose plural alternatives. Similarly, plural forms should be read to contemplate and disclose singular alternatives. Conjunctions should be read as inclusive except where stated otherwise.

Expressions such as “at least one of A, B, and C” should be read to permit any of A, B, or C singularly or in combination with the remaining elements. Additionally, such groups may include multiple instances of one or more element in that group, which may be included with other elements of the group. All numbers, measurements, and values are given as approximations unless expressly stated otherwise.

Various aspects of the present disclosure will now be described in detail, without limitation. In the following disclosure, a flameless heating apparatus will be discussed. Those of skill in the art will appreciate alternative labeling of the flameless heating apparatus as a heater, induction heater, electric torch, flameless torch, electric crucible heater, the invention, or other similar names. Similarly, those of skill in the art will appreciate alternative labeling of the flameless heating apparatus as a flameless heating operation, electrical crucible heating technique, flameless and adjustable heating operation, method, operation, the invention, or other similar names. Skilled readers should not view the inclusion of any alternative labels as limiting in any way.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-11, the flameless heating apparatus will now be discussed in more detail. The flameless heating apparatus 100 may include a heating member 110, heating barrel 130, heat generation component 112, control component 150, base member 170, and additional components that will be discussed in greater detail below. The flameless heating apparatus 100 may operate one or more of these components interactively with other components to heat and/or vaporize a composition.

A flameless heating apparatus 100 enabled by this disclosure may include an adjustable electric, flameless torch for heating crucibles. For the purpose of this disclosure, crucibles are intended to include quartz buckets, boro buckets, crucibles comprising borosilicate glass, and other containers configured to receive heat and transfer at least part of the received heat to an object and/or composition at least partially held by the container. For the purpose of this disclosure, heated compositions may include concentrates, organic materials, chemical compounds, and/or other substances that may be extracted with the assistance of heat application. When used for heating compositions to promote vaporization, using a flameless and fossil fuel free heat source may permit an enhanced flavor profile over combustible heat sources.

The heating member will now be discussed in greater detail. FIGS. 1-7 and 10 highlight examples of the heating member 110. The heating member 110 may include additional components, such as a heating barrel 130, heat generation components 112, control component 150, and/or other components. The heating member 110 may be constructed using various materials, for example, wood, metal, plastic, rubber, synthetic materials, natural materials, and/or other materials.

Generally, the heating member 110 may include a connection to a power source, such as a cord, plug, and/or interface to connect with an electrical outlet. The power drawn by the power source may be at least partially used to operate a heat generation component 112, control component 150, and optionally additional components such as a fan, power supply, transformer, inverter, rectifier, AC-DC converter, and/or other components that would be appreciated by those of skill in the art after having the benefit of this disclosure. For example, a fan may be included to transfer heat from a heat generation component 112 to air moved by the fan and passing near the heat generation component 112.

The heating member 110 may be positionally adjustable to direct heat in a desired direction. For example, the heating member 110 may be at least partially pivotable about a junction 172 with a base member 170. The heating member 110 may produce flameless heat via a heat generation component 112, which is discussed in more detail below. The temperature of the generated heat may be controlled.

The heat generation component 112 will now be discussed in greater detail. FIGS. 4 and 6-7 highlight examples of the heat generation component 112. The heat generation component 112 may convert electrical energy into heat for direction to a targeted receiving device. For example, the heat generation component 112 may include an electrical heating element to generate electricity from a power source. The electrical heating element may operate using induction, such as electromagnetic induction, to enhance the ability to heat a container holding a compound, such as a crucible. Induction heating may use eddy currents created by changing magnetic currents. For example, a quickly alternating magnetic field may penetrate an object, creating electrical currents inside of a conductor. The eddy currents may then flow through a resistive portion of a material to create heat. Induction heating advantageously allows objects to be heated quickly, reducing warm-up times common to other heating methods. The rapid heating time of induction heating also advantageously addresses one of the most commonly perceived benefits of combustion-based heating—a short time from being disengaged from operation to functional operation at the desired heating capacity.

In at least one embodiment, a heat generation component 112 enabled by this disclosure could include a resistive heating element to compliment and/or replace the induction heating element of the above example. A resistive heating element may generate heat as an electrical current is passed through a resistive conductor. As the material through which the electrical current is passed resists the flow of the current, it may produce heat. Currents produced through the inductive heating process may additionally contribute to heat generation through resistive heating, which may advantageously increase the efficiency of heat produced by the heat generation component 112. Skilled artisans will appreciate that additional heating techniques may be used by the heat generation component 112 without limitation, including infrared heating, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

The heat generation component 112 may receive electrical energy from a power source. In one embodiment, the heat generation component 112 may use power drawn from a public utility grid. Illustrative power usage ranges, provided without the intent to limit any embodiment enabled by this disclosure to strictly these ranges, may be within about 200-1500 watts, and may commonly operate in a range of about 600-950 watts. Skilled artisans will appreciate additional power ranges at which a heat generation component 112 may operate after having the benefit of this disclosure, which are also intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure without limitation.

The heat produced by the heat generation component 112 may be controllable. In one example, the heat may be controlled by the power supplied to produce the heat. A sensor may be included by the heating member 110. For example, a temperature sensor may be included to determine the temperature of the heat generated by the heat generation component 112. The power supplied to the heat generation component 112 may be adjusted to maintain a target temperature output. Temperature control may advantageously allow the heating member 110 to control heat output while compensating for variables such as ambient air temperature, breeze, proximity to the object being heated, and the type and thickness of a corresponding crucible.

The heating barrel 130 will now be discussed in greater detail. FIGS. 1-3, 5-7, and 10 highlight examples of the heating barrel 130. The heating barrel 130 may advantageously assist with directing the heat produced by the heat generation component 112 to a desired target. The heating barrel 130 may extend outwardly from a portion of the heating member 110 at least partially enclosing the heat generation component 112. The heating barrel 130 may be constructed using material capable of withstanding the heat passed through the heating barrel 130, for example and without limitation, metal.

The heating barrel 130 may include an outer barrel 132 and an inner barrel 134. In one example, the inner barrel 134 may be configured to promote the passing of heated air with minimal resistance. An inner barrel end 136 distal from the heat generating element 112 may include pathways, cutouts, or other flow shaping features to help direct the flow of heated air from the interior portion of the heating member 110. The outer barrel 132 may at least partially surround the inner barrel 134, providing a full and/or partial heat shield from the inner barrel 134. Additionally, the outer barrel 132 may help to reduce deforming of the inner barrel 134 in the case of an accidental drop or impact.

The control component will now be discussed in greater detail. FIGS. 1-2, 5-6, and 10 highlight examples of the control component 150. The control component 150 may include an electronic device to affect the heat generated by the heat generation component 112. An example of an electronic device and/or computerized device is provided below in this disclosure along with FIG. 11, without limitation. The control component 150 may allow a user to designate desired operating characteristics. The control component 150 may then control the operation of various components to approach substantial compliance with the operating characteristics designated by the user. Operating characteristics may include, without limitation, temperature, fan speed, air velocity, on/off, timer, and other features.

The control component 150 may include an interface to allow a user to submit commands and view information relating to operational status. For example, the interface may include buttons manipulable by the user to adjust temperature and fan speed. A display 152 may be included to give visual feedback to the user about the operational status. Other feedback may be provided otherwise, for example and without limitation, via sound. Information presented on the display 152 may include lights, illuminated regions, digits, digital displays, video screens, or other visual indicators that would be apparent to a person of skill in the art after having the benefit of this disclosure.

The control component 150 may communicate with one or more sensors to determine an operational status. In one embodiment, the control component 150 can compensate for operational status outside of the range defined by a user. For example, the control component 150 may detect a heat output that is deficiently noncompliant with the temperature set by the user and, in response, increase the power to the heat generation component 112 to raise the temperature such that it comes back into compliance with the defined range.

The base member will now be discussed in greater detail. FIGS. 1-5 and 8-10 highlight examples of the base member 170. The base member 170 may provide a substantially stable foundation for the heating member 110. The base member 170 may advantageously lower the center of gravity for the apparatus, reducing the risk of falling over during operation. The base member 170 may additionally provide for adjustability of the heating member 110, for example, via a pivoting connection interface.

The base member 170 may include a base front portion 174, base rear portion 175, base first side portion 176, base second side portion 177, and base bottom portion 178. Additional portions may be included, without limitation. The base member 170 may additionally include feet 179 attached to the base bottom portion 178. The feet 179 may be constructed with a material to reduce undesired slipping or moving when placed on a surface. The base first side portion 176 and base second side portion 177 may extend upwardly from the base bottom portion 178. The base front portion 174 and base rear portion 175 may be located adjacent to the base first and second side portions 176, 177, for example, to enhance rigidity.

The heating member 110 may be located at least partially between the base first side portion 176 and the base second side portion 177. The heating member 110 may be operatively attached to the base member 170 via adjustable junctions 172, such as via screws passed through the base side portions 176, 177 of the base member 170 and received by the heating member 110. The angle of the heating member 110 may be adjusted by pivoting it about the adjustable junctions 172. For example, the screws connecting the base member 170 to the heating member 110 may be loosened such that the heating member 110 may be pivoted about the junction 172 into which the screws are installed. When the desired angle is reached, the screws may be tightened at the junction 172 to hold that angle. Skilled artisans will appreciate additional connection junctions and/or interfaces between the base member 170 and the heating member 110 that are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure, without limitation.

Referring now to FIG. 11, an illustrative computerized device will be discussed, without limitation. Various aspects and functions described in accord with the present disclosure may be implemented as hardware or software on one or more illustrative computerized devices 1100 or other computerized devices. There are many examples of illustrative computerized devices 1100 currently in use that may be suitable for implementing various aspects of the present disclosure. Some examples include, among others, network appliances, personal computers, workstations, mainframes, networked clients, servers, media servers, application servers, database servers and web servers. Other examples of illustrative computerized devices 1100 may include mobile computing devices, cellular phones, smartphones, tablets, video game devices, personal digital assistants, network equipment, devices involved in commerce such as point of sale equipment and systems, such as handheld scanners, magnetic stripe readers, bar code scanners and their associated illustrative computerized device 1100, among others. Additionally, aspects in accord with the present disclosure may be located on a single illustrative computerized device 1100 or may be distributed among one or more illustrative computerized devices 1100 connected to one or more communication networks.

For example, various aspects and functions may be distributed among one or more illustrative computerized devices 1100 configured to provide a service to one or more client computers, or to perform an overall task as part of a distributed system. Additionally, aspects may be performed on a client-server or multi-tier system that includes components distributed among one or more server systems that perform various functions. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to executing on any particular system or group of systems. Further, aspects may be implemented in software, hardware or firmware, or any combination thereof. Thus, aspects in accord with the present disclosure may be implemented within methods, acts, systems, system elements and components using a variety of hardware and software configurations, and the disclosure is not limited to any particular distributed architecture, network, or communication protocol.

FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of an illustrative computerized device 1100, in which various aspects and functions in accord with the present disclosure may be practiced. The illustrative computerized device 1100 may include one or more illustrative computerized devices 1100. The illustrative computerized devices 1100 included by the illustrative computerized device may be interconnected by, and may exchange data through, a communication network 1108. Data may be communicated via the illustrative computerized device using a wireless and/or wired network connection.

Network 1108 may include any communication network through which illustrative computerized devices 1100 may exchange data. To exchange data via network 1108, systems and/or components of the illustrative computerized device 1100 and the network 1108 may use various methods, protocols and standards including, among others, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, TCP/IP, UDP, HTTP, FTP, SNMP, SMS, MMS, SS7, JSON, XML, REST, SOAP, RMI, DCOM, and/or Web Services, without limitation. To ensure data transfer is secure, the systems and/or modules of the illustrative computerized device 1100 may transmit data via the network 1108 using a variety of security measures including TSL, SSL, or VPN, among other security techniques. The illustrative computerized device 1100 may include any number of illustrative computerized devices 1100 and/or components, which may be networked using virtually any medium and communication protocol or combination of protocols.

Various aspects and functions in accord with the present disclosure may be implemented as specialized hardware or software executing in one or more illustrative computerized devices 1100, including an illustrative computerized device 1100 shown in FIG. 11. As depicted, the illustrative computerized device 1100 may include a processor 1110, memory 1112, a bus 1114 or other internal communication system, an input/output (I/O) interface 1116, a storage system 1118, and/or a network communication device 1120. Additional components and/or devices 1122 may be selectively connected to the computerized device via the bus 1114. Processor 1110, which may include one or more microprocessors or other types of controllers, can perform a series of instructions that result in manipulated data. Processor 1110 may be a commercially available processor such as an ARM, x86, Intel Core, Intel Pentium, Motorola PowerPC, SGI MIPS, Sun UltraSPARC, or Hewlett-Packard PA-RISC processor, but may be any type of processor or controller as many other processors and controllers are available. As shown, processor 1110 may be connected to other system elements, including a memory 1112, by bus 1114.

The illustrative computerized device 1100 may also include a network communication device 1120. The network communication device 1120 may receive data from other components of the computerized device to be communicated with servers 1132, databases 1134, smart phones 1136, and/or other computerized devices 1138 via a network 1108. The communication of data may optionally be performed wirelessly. More specifically, without limitation, the network communication device 1120 may communicate and relay information from one or more components of the illustrative computerized device 1100, or other devices and/or components connected to the computerized device 1100, to additional connected devices 1132, 1134, 1136, and/or 1138. Connected devices are intended to include, without limitation, data servers, additional computerized devices, mobile computing devices, smart phones, tablet computers, and other electronic devices that may communicate digitally with another device. In one example, the illustrative computerized device 1100 may be used as a server to analyze and communicate data between connected devices.

The illustrative computerized device 1100 may communicate with one or more connected devices via a communications network 1108. The computerized device 1100 may communicate over the network 1108 by using its network communication device 1120. More specifically, the network communication device 1120 of the computerized device 1100 may communicate with the network communication devices or network controllers of the connected devices. The network 1108 may be, for example, the internet. As another example, the network 1108 may be a WLAN. However, skilled artisans will appreciate additional networks to be included within the scope of this disclosure, such as intranets, local area networks, wide area networks, peer-to-peer networks, and various other network formats. Additionally, the illustrative computerized device 1100 and/or connected devices 1132, 1134, 1136, and/or 1138 may communicate over the network 1108 via a wired, wireless, or other connection, without limitation.

Memory 1112 may be used for storing programs and/or data during operation of the illustrative computerized device 1100. Thus, memory 1112 may be a relatively high performance, volatile, random access memory such as a dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) or static memory (SRAM). However, memory 1112 may include any device for storing data, such as a disk drive or other non-volatile storage device. Various embodiments in accord with the present disclosure can organize memory 1112 into particularized and, in some cases, unique structures to perform the aspects and functions of this disclosure.

Components of illustrative computerized device 1100 may be coupled by an interconnection element such as bus 1114. Bus 1114 may include one or more physical busses (for example, busses between components that are integrated within a same machine), but may include any communication coupling between system elements including specialized or standard computing bus technologies such as USB, Thunderbolt, SATA, FireWire, IDE, SCSI, PCI and InfiniBand. Thus, bus 1114 may enable communications (for example, data and instructions) to be exchanged between system components of the illustrative computerized device 1100.

The illustrative computerized device 1100 also may include one or more interface devices 1116 such as input devices, output devices and combination input/output devices. Interface devices 1116 may receive input or provide output. More particularly, output devices may render information for external presentation. Input devices may accept information from external sources. Examples of interface devices include, among others, keyboards, bar code scanners, mouse devices, trackballs, magnetic strip readers, microphones, touch screens, printing devices, display screens, speakers, network interface cards, etc. The interface devices 1116 allow the illustrative computerized device 1100 to exchange information and communicate with external entities, such as users and other systems.

Storage system 1118 may include a computer readable and writeable nonvolatile storage medium in which instructions can be stored that define a program to be executed by the processor. Storage system 1118 also may include information that is recorded, on or in, the medium, and this information may be processed by the program. More specifically, the information may be stored in one or more data structures specifically configured to conserve storage space or increase data exchange performance. The instructions may be persistently stored as encoded bits or signals, and the instructions may cause a processor to perform any of the functions described by the encoded bits or signals. The medium may, for example, be optical disk, magnetic disk or flash memory, among others. In operation, processor 1110 or some other controller may cause data to be read from the nonvolatile recording medium into another memory, such as the memory 1112, that allows for faster access to the information by the processor than does the storage medium included in the storage system 1118. The memory may be located in storage system 1118 or in memory 1112. Processor 1110 may manipulate the data within memory 1112, and then copy the data to the medium associated with the storage system 1118 after processing is completed. A variety of components may manage data movement between the medium and integrated circuit memory element and does not limit the disclosure. Further, the disclosure is not limited to a particular memory system or storage system.

Although the above described illustrative computerized device is shown by way of example as one type of illustrative computerized device upon which various aspects and functions in accord with the present disclosure may be practiced, aspects of the disclosure are not limited to being implemented on the illustrative computerized device 1100 as shown in FIG. 11. Various aspects and functions in accord with the present disclosure may be practiced on one or more computers having components other than that shown in FIG. 11. For instance, the illustrative computerized device 1100 may include specially-programmed, special-purpose hardware, such as for example, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) tailored to perform a particular operation disclosed in this example. While another embodiment may perform essentially the same function using several general-purpose computing devices running Windows, Linux, Unix, Android, iOS, MAC OS X, or other operating systems on the aforementioned processors and/or specialized computing devices running proprietary hardware and operating systems.

The illustrative computerized device 1100 may include an operating system that manages at least a portion of the hardware elements included in illustrative computerized device 1100. A processor or controller, such as processor 1110, may execute an operating system which may be, among others, an operating system, one of the above mentioned operating systems, one of many Linux-based operating system distributions, a UNIX operating system, or another operating system that would be apparent to skilled artisans. Many other operating systems may be used, and embodiments are not limited to any particular operating system.

The processor and operating system may work together define a computing platform for which application programs in high-level programming languages may be written. These component applications may be executable, intermediate (for example, C# or JAVA bytecode) or interpreted code which communicate over a communication network (for example, the Internet) using a communication protocol (for example, TCP/IP). Similarly, aspects in accord with the present disclosure may be implemented using an object-oriented programming language, such as JAVA, C, C++, C#, Python, PHP, Visual Basic .NET, JavaScript, Perl, Ruby, Delphi/Object Pascal, Visual Basic, Objective-C, Swift, MATLAB, PL/SQL, OpenEdge ABL, R, Fortran or other languages that would be apparent to skilled artisans. Other object-oriented programming languages may also be used. Alternatively, assembly, procedural, scripting, or logical programming languages may be used.

Additionally, various aspects and functions in accord with the present disclosure may be implemented in a non-programmed environment (for example, documents created in HTML5, HTML, XML, CSS, JavaScript, or other format that, when viewed in a window of a browser program, render aspects of a graphical-user interface or perform other functions). Further, various embodiments in accord with the present disclosure may be implemented as programmed or non-programmed elements, or any combination thereof. For example, a web page may be implemented using HTML while a data object called from within the web page may be written in C++. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to a specific programming language and any suitable programming language could also be used.

An illustrative computerized device included within an embodiment may perform functions outside the scope of the disclosure. For instance, aspects of the system may be implemented using an existing commercial product, such as, for example, Database Management Systems such as a SQL Server available from Microsoft of Redmond, Wash., Oracle Database or MySQL from Oracle of Redwood City, Calif., or integration software such as WebSphere middleware from IBM of Armonk, N.Y.

In operation, a method may be provided for heating and vaporizing a composition. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the following methods are provided to illustrate an embodiment of the disclosure and should not be viewed as limiting the disclosure to only those methods or aspects. Skilled artisans will appreciate additional methods within the scope and spirit of the disclosure for performing the operations provided by the examples below after having the benefit of this disclosure. Such additional methods are intended to be included by this disclosure.

In one example, an embodiment of the flameless heating apparatus 100 enable by this disclosure may be positioned such that its heating barrel 130 is directed to a crucible. The crucible may be a bucket, such as a quartz bucket. In an additional example, the crucible may comprise borosilicate glass. In another example, the crucible may be a nail and/or quartz nail. In at least one embodiment, the crucible may be located close to the heat ejecting end of the heating barrel 130. Proximity of the crucible to the heating barrel 130 may promote efficient and even heating of the concentrate and/or organic material held by the crucible.

The temperature may be configured to extract the desired chemical compositions from the concentrated and/or organic material to be heated. As heat is applied to the crucible via a flameless heating apparatus at a desired temperature, the heat from the crucible may be transferred to the concentrate and/or organic material, thus heating the concentrate and/or organic material to a desired temperature and extract the desired compositions, for example, via vaporization.

The flameless heating apparatus may be used with crucibles of various sizes. In some examples, thick (for example, about 3 mm) and/or double-walled crucibles may perform optimally as these crucibles may retain a desired temperature range for longer than a more thinly constructed crucible. When being used with large crucibles, for example and without limitation, crucibles over 40 mm in diameter, the crucible may benefit from rotation during the heating operation to promote substantially even heating.

In this example and depending on the size and thickness of the crucible, such as a quartz bucket and/or a borosilicate bucket, the heating operation may take thirty seconds to about a minute. However, those of skill in the art should not view this heating time to limit the disclosure in any way. In another example, double walled vessels may take up to two minutes to heat. In examples involving reheating of a crucible, a reduced time may be required, for example, about half the time. Advantageously, cool down time may be reduced to negligible times, allowing a user to handle the crucible, pipe, nail, or other heated object without significant delay. In embodiments with negligible cool down times, the user may advantageously enjoy the vaporized components of a heated concentrate or organic material expediently.

In one embodiment, a target may be heated using a flameless heating apparatus by first generating heat via induction by an electrical heating element installed to a heat generation component comprised by a heating member. The heat generation component may heat air in the heating member. Then, the heated air may be flowed and/or directed through a heating barrel operatively attached to the heating member and extending outwardly from the heating member. The target, such as a crucible, may be heated with the air that is directed through the heating barrel. This illustrative method may additionally include controlling operating characteristics of the heat generation component via a control component.

Information may be detected from one or more sensors relating to the air that is heated by the heat generation component. This information may include temperature, time of operation, duration, air flow, and/or other information that would be appreciated by a person of skill in the art after having the benefit of this disclosure. Operating characteristics of the heating component may be affected in response to the information provided by the sensor, for example, via the control component.

While various aspects have been described in the above disclosure, the description of this disclosure is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention. The invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims and not the illustrations and examples provided in the above disclosure. Skilled artisans will appreciate additional aspects of the invention, which may be realized in alternative embodiments, after having the benefit of the above disclosure. Other aspects, advantages, embodiments, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A flameless heating apparatus for elevating a temperature of a target, the heating apparatus comprising: a heating member comprising: a heat generation component comprising an electrical heating element installed to the heat generation component that operates via induction, and a heating barrel operatively attached to the heat generation component and extending outwardly from the heating member; and a control component to affect operating characteristics of the heat generation component; wherein air heated by the heat generation component is directed through the heating barrel to the target to increase the temperature of the target.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an exterior heating member surface of the heating member is constructed at least partially using wood.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating member further comprises a fan to move the air that is heated by the heat generation component through the heating barrel.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the target comprises a crucible.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the crucible comprises quartz and/or borosilicate glass.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a sensor to detect information relating to the air that is heated by the heat generation component; and wherein the control component affects the operating characteristics in response to the information provided by the sensor.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control component comprises a timer.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a base member onto which the heating member is installed; a junction located on the base member about which the heating member being installed to the base member is at least partially pivotable.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electric heating element is selectably operated to consume between about 600 watts and about 950 watts of electrical power to heat the air.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating barrel comprises: an outer barrel; and an inner barrel at least partially enclosed by the outer barrel to at least partially provide a heat shield for the outer barrel by isolating the air that is heated away from the outer barrel during operation.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a physical integrity of the inner barrel is substantially maintained during operation via an orientation of the inner barrel substantially within the outer barrel.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a first inner barrel end of the inner barrel that is distal to the heat generation component comprises flow shaping features to direct the air that is heated from an interior portion of the heating member through the heating barrel with minimal resistance.
 13. A flameless heating apparatus for elevating a temperature of a target, the heating apparatus comprising: a heating member comprising: a heat generation component comprising an electrical heating element installed therein; a heating barrel operatively attached to the heating member and extending outwardly from the heating member; a base member onto which the heating member is installed; and a junction located on the base member about which the heating member being installed to the base member is at least partially pivotable; wherein the heating barrel comprises: an outer barrel, and an inner barrel at least partially enclosed by the outer barrel to at least partially provide a heat shield for the outer barrel by isolating air that is heated away from the outer barrel during operation; wherein the air heated by the heat generation component is directed through the inner barrel of the heating barrel to the target to increase the temperature of the target.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a control component to affect operating characteristics of the heat generation component.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: a sensor to detect information relating to the air that is heated by the heat generation component; and wherein the control component affects the operating characteristics in response to the information provided by the sensor; wherein the control component comprises a timer.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a first inner barrel end of the inner barrel that is distal to the heat generation component comprises flow shaping features to direct the air that is heated from an interior portion of the heating member through the heating barrel with minimal resistance.
 17. A method of heating a target using a flameless heating apparatus comprising: a) generating heat via induction by a heat generation component comprised by a heating member; b) heating air in the heating member with the heat generated by the heat generation component; c) flowing the air that is heated through a heating barrel operatively attached to the heating member and extending outwardly from the heating member via a fan; d) heating the target with the air that is heated being directed through the heating barrel; and e) controlling operating characteristics of the heat generation component via a control component.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: f) detecting information relating to the air that is heated by the heat generation component via a sensor; and g) affecting the operating characteristics in response to the information provided by the sensor via the control component.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: a base member onto which the heating member is installed; a junction located on the base member about which the heating member being installed to the base member is at least partially pivotable.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the heating barrel comprises: an outer barrel; and an inner barrel at least partially enclosed by the outer barrel to at least partially provide a heat shield for the outer barrel by isolating the air that is heated away from the outer barrel during operation; wherein a first inner barrel end of the inner barrel that is distal to the heat generation component comprises flow shaping features to direct the air that is heated away from an interior portion of the heating member through the heating barrel with minimal resistance. 